Arakawa Under the Bridge x Bridge episode 9: Arakawa Under the Weather?

Firstly, we waited over a week for the subs to come out this time. Now, this isn’t so bad, given that fansubbers are gorgeous by definition and are allowed to have lives. However, to wait so long for an epi that had practically zero plot and character development and hardly any lols let alone LOLs, well, this was more than bad…

Episode Summary:

Move along, nothing to see here…

Thoughts:

You’re telling me.

Oh my beautiful Arakawa, what have they done to you? Though others have suggested that the first series was the best thing since sliced bread and probably didn’t need a sequel, I have to say that, after viewing this epi, this was the first time that I almost agreed with them. The main reason I’ve disagreed is because the Nino mystery still needed solving, or a concerted effort to solve it needed to be at least seen to be occurring, which this series has so far done, with the odd LOL-centred or character development-centred fillerish epi thrown in. I’d say that this epi, however, had neither. And no, the letter from Shiro’s overly understanding wife and kid doesn’t count. No does Shimazaki’s further falling in lust with Shiro. And don’t get me started on the second part…

In short, the Australian white line painting championship training, after the contents of the letter was revealed, just didn’t wasn’t funny, and the mad farmer’s tea party/ mad kappa’s tea ceremony was even less so. Granted, you can’t write off a whole episode of a comedy show just because one blogger didn’t find it particularly (i.e. not at all) funny. However, given what this show is capable of (absurdist humour with optional subtext consisting of ironic reflections on wider society and the relationships we form with others within it), I found it disappointing to say the least that these guys weren’t trying harder.

And if you’re still thinking easier criticised than done, then… For example: Shimazi could’ve been a bit more of a conflicted/ active participant, rather than just a lovesick puppy, like she was when she displayed what I thought were the beginnings of a deliciously dark streak when she told Shiro she’d have to redo his physical a couple of episodes ago. Or, we could’ve had more crazy imaginings of Shiro’s family in Ric’s mind, like when he hilariously thought of meeting Nino’s Venusian squid family. Or, P-Ko could’ve dreamed up some even wilder shoujotastic fantasies starring herself and the Mayor during her tea-party. Or, Ric and Hoshi could’ve been at their entertaining/ competitive best during the whole tea-ceremony-flavoured snorefest, rather than pathetically (but not so entertainingly) trying to curry favour with the Mayor and Last Samurai…

But enough of me trying to do other people’s jobs for them. I just wanted to justify what has turned out to be a [bit of a] ragepost (and not in a good way) about something so potentially brilliant, and often is, not, er, living up to it’s potential. Let’s just hope it’s a case of some seasonal, i.e. passing, Arakawa Under the Weather, and that we’re back on the road to Venus soon…

And finally, and on a more positive note, at least the girls looked lovely during the French tea-party, eh…

Yes, but please don’t devote any more screentime to it.

More Pics:

If only it were, Ric.

Oh Shimazaki, what’s become of you too?

AGREED.

Why Stella would agree to be on the serving end here is beyond me.

At least Last Samurai is not taking things sitting down.

This is just plain wrong. Every single part of it.

Oh hey, let’s pretend to re-introduce the main plot here, and maybe they won’t notice the last 20 mins…

Episodes 1-12 of the 13 that make up season one (of which this is the sequel) are, collectively, a great stand-alone zany comedy series, so I’d defo check out epi 1 of that, soon into which you’ll find your answer.

Agreed. This episode was the biggest let down since Bridge x Bridge started – not just because it was a poor episode (because it was) but because we’re still waiting for more plot! Some of the more creative staff working on Arakawa must be on holidays…

I thought I was the only one disappointed by Episode 9. :/ I also watched Episode 10 today in hopes that last week was just an off week. I don’t think 10 was that great either. I mean 8 was probably pretty hard to live up to I guess?

I’m sad I’m very sad I’m in despair.
Arakawa was the anime who cured my hate for the Gag genre an now how low has it fallen, the worst part for me is that the material is there,(manga) I know they could have done better and yet they didn’t.
Shaft is to blame, shaft and shaft only.

It sounds like SK2 has recently been updated on this blog. But not fully configured. You MUST visit Spam Karma's admin page at least once before letting it filter your comments (chaos may ensue otherwise).